Jurors in NYPD Rape Trial Say They Believe Officers Were Guilty

The rape trial of two NYPD cops continues to make news despite the officers having been acquitted of rape charges. According to DNA Info, jury members have confessed that they believed the cops -- who have since lost their jobs for official misconduct -- to be guilty but had to acquit based on lack of DNA evidence. One juror said "In my heart of hearts, I believe her that the officers did it," while another said of Kenneth Moreno, "He raped her. There is no doubt in my mind."

Believing something, of course, is not "evidence." According to another juror,

"We were strictly bound by the judge's instruction that there must be evidence beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict the defendants of the major charges of the case," said juror John Finck, 57.

But back to the legal aspects of the case, Moreno and Mata have been cleared of rape -- but could face jail time on their official misconduct charges. Meanwhile, the accuser still has a $57 million civil suit against the city. Still, according to a statement she released, "public opinion will be the ultimate verdict."